ACT Brumbies

Brumbies v Shorks preview

Brumbies v Shorks preview
Sharks need a flash of brilliance

Sharks need a flash of brilliance

The CA Brumbies have named an unchanged line up for the 4th week in a row to take on the Sharks on Saturday night. The Canberra based side will be hoping that continuity and momentum will give them the edge over the Sharks who have not won in Canberra since a 41-23 win in 1998.

The Brumbies will be looking to play some entertaining rugby to capture the attention of the fans they felt they let down last week in not capturing the elusive bonus point. Along with the Force, the Brumbies are the only teams yet to register a bonus point in 2010.

Both Captain Stephen Hoiles and Coach Andy Friend are wary of a Sharks backlash and won’t be underestimating the Sharks who will be looking to bring a physical game. Hoiles believes that patience within the team will see them secure their 4th win of the season.

Halfback Josh Valentine is happy with the how the team is progressing and will be looking to build on his partnership in the halves with Matt Giteau to get the team playing their best Rugby towards the back end of the season.

The only concern this week was the absence at training of fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper who was missing due to a bout of conjunctivitis. He has recovered and will take his place in the starting lineup.

The Sharks will be looking to build on last week’s showing where they were right in the game until a controversial ending ruined their chances of getting their first win of the season. The team from Durban has made some rotational changes in the forwards with Captain John Smit starting at tight head and will team up alongside Bismarck du Plessis and Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawawira in the front row.

The ladder may show them as 0-4 however 3 of those defeats have come with a chance of winning which proves they aren’t playing that poorly and could easily be 2-2 or better. With the playing roster on hand for coach John Plumtree, Supporters of the Sharks would have expected better results so far and would be feeling disappointed in a season which promised so much.

The inconsistent form of the Sharks halves has led to several combinations being tried without success in the opening weeks which was brought about by a season long back injury suffered in the pre-season to Argentinean import Juan Hernandez. This led to the acquisition of English player Andy Goode who has only joined the team recently for the overseas tour.

BRUMBIES

 

SHORKS

Ben Alexander

1

The Beast

Stephen Moore

2

Bismarck du Plessis

Salesi Ma’afu

3

John Smit ©

Ben Hand

4

Steven Sykes

Mark Chisholm

5

Johann Muller

Rocky Elsom

6

Jacques Botes

George Smith

7

Willem Alberts

Stephen Hoiles ©

8

Ryan Kankowski

Josh Valentine

9

Ruan Pienaar

Matt Giteau

10

Andy Goode

Francis Fainifo

11

JP Pietersen

Christian Lealiifano

12

Riaan Swanepoel

Stirling Mortlock

13

Adrian Jacobs

Pat McCabe

14

Odwa Ndungane

Adam Ashley-Cooper

15

Stefan Terblanche


Res


Huia Edmonds

16

Craig Burden

Guy Shepherdson

17

Jannie du Plessis

Justin Harrison

18

Alistair Hargreaves

Mitchell Chapman

19

Jean Deysel

Patrick Phibbs

20

Keegan Daniel

Matt Toomua

21

Rory Kockott

Tyrone Smith

22

Waylon Murray

Match Officials
Referee: Garratt Williamson (NZ)
Ass. refs: Simon Moore (Aus) & TBA
TMO: Matt Goddard (Aus)

The Green & Gold Rugby Official Match Day Team List is available for download here.

ACT Brumbies
@steve_l15

Canberra born and bred Rugby fan brought up on Canberra Kookaburra and ACT Brumbies Rugby.

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